What Not to Do When Washing Towels: 11 Mistakes That Make Them Dull and Stiff

According to laundry manager Deyan Dimitrov, the most common mistake when washing towels is using too much detergent. “First, excess suds prevent items from rubbing against each other, which is the essence of washing. Secondly, if there is too much powder, it will not be completely removed when rinsing, and over time the sediment on the fibers will turn your soft, snow-white towels into gray, skin-irritating rags,” explains Deyan.

Exactly how much powder do you need to wash? “Some detergent manufacturers lie on the label. Remember: They all want you to use the product faster and buy it again,” warns Sarah Bogdan, a New York Times editor who specializes in reviews of appliances and cleaning products. According to Sarah, for three to four kilos of laundry, one tablespoon of powder is usually enough.

It’s not very pleasant to think about, but our skin is home to a lot of bacteria and also produces sebum, which is called sebum. Of course, we wash most of it off with water when taking a shower, but the rest goes to towels. Therefore, Deyan advises you to familiarize yourself with the composition of the washing powder – it is better to give preference to the one that contains enzymes: protease removes protein-based stains, amylase washes away starch-containing stains, lipase adapts well to fats, and cellulase rids the tissue fibers of microvilli, preventing them from becoming covered with granules.

“I advise you never to bleach your bath towels: chlorine can damage the cotton fibers and make them brittle. Eventually, the fabric will become unpleasant to the touch and will wear out more quickly. It is better to use regular detergent, it is more than enough, ”says Liz Eichholz, co-founder and director of a company that produces terry towels and bathrobes.

As professional cleaner Stephanie Booth explains, mixing towels with other types of fabric won’t do any good. “Towels require a special approach: they require a higher temperature and air conditioning is contraindicated. If you put them in a drum with other things, the clothes will become covered in lint and the towels themselves will have lint stuck to them from the constant rubbing against the smooth fabric, and they will no longer be soft and fluffy.” , explains Stand.

Excessive use of fabric softeners is not good for any material, but towels don’t need a conditioner at all. “This forms a deposit on the fibers, making towels less absorbent and slippery to the touch,” warns Lucy Ackroyd, head of design at Christy, which has been making towels for 170 years.

Home remedies will help restore softness to towels: Dimitrov advises adding eight tablespoons of soda to the laundry detergent or pouring half a glass of 9% white vinegar into the conditioner compartment.

Also read: When not to use fabric softener: advice from a laundry worker

Using high temperatures to wash towels won’t help if the machine is bursting at the seams: there won’t be any room for things to move freely. “Also remember that towels become heavy when wet, which can cause household washing machines to wear out more quickly. I recommend leaving the drum half empty – this will help you avoid overloading the machine and will ensure good towel washing,” says Booth.

Loops of soft fabric have a superpower: they can hold… everything. This includes detergent residue: if you don’t run an extra rinse cycle, you’ll end up with an incomplete rinse of your towels after washing: over time, the powder will make them dull and rough.

Only a clean washing machine can “produce” clean clothes. Experts remind you that once a month the device must be washed in a special cycle. Thanks to this, the dirt accumulated in the drum will not get on your things, including towels.

Minerals in hard water can ruin everything: they cause scale to build up on the heating elements of appliances, stains on sinks and faucets, and dull, hard fabrics. Fortunately, getting rid of “special effects” when washing is very simple: just add a special product to soften hard water in the powder compartment.

Remember to shake your towels twice: once after washing and once after drying. This is the best way to lift the pile and restore the “softness” we value so much.

“Drying towels at too high a temperature will make them stiff and scratch your skin. In no case hang them on the radiator, and if you use a dryer, choose low degrees, ”advises Allen Sivlak, director of a towel manufacturing company. It also reminds you that you should never put slightly damp towels in the cupboard, this will cause an unpleasant odor.

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